Top Stories· August 17, 2026 at 03:01 p.m.
Affordable, Efficient, and Hand-Built: The Gasolini AR1 Offers a Sustainable Future for Driving Enthusiasts
Key takeaways
- Gasolini AR1 is a hand-built, affordable, and efficient car
- AR1 uses parts from a 2017 Honda CBR500 motorbike
- AR1 generates 47 hp (35 kW) and weighs less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
- Ely is working on an electric version of the AR1 called AR2
Over the weekend, Monterey Car Week showcased extravagant hypercars and restomods with seven-figure price tags. In contrast, the Gasolini AR1 offers an affordable, efficient, and hand-built alternative. The UK-based car was featured on Jonny Smith's 'The Late Brake Show'.
The AR1 utilizes a 2017 Honda CBR500 motorbike engine, gearbox, wiring loom, and dash, with the two-cylinder inline engine mounted behind the single-seat cockpit. The car weighs less than 1,000 lbs (454 kg) and generates 47 hp (35 kW) and 32 lb-ft (43 Nm).
Robert Ely, the creator of the AR1, aims to make a car that is fun to drive at legal speeds, returning about 41 mpg (5.7 L/100 km). He is also working on AR2, an electric version with double the horsepower and four times the torque.
Ely will sell plans and instructions for building an AR1 for under $7,000. The AR1's design, inspired by '90s sci-fi vibes, features unique aerodynamic elements to reduce drag.
